Young talent to shine
ALMOST 600 of regional Queensland’s best junior footballers will call Brolga Park home for the next three days as the annual Filippe Mele Carnival kicks off.
Into its 35th year, the carnival will take on a new look this year joining forces with the Football Queensland Skills Acquisition Program to showcase the best junior talent from under-10s through to under-14s.
The SAP juniors will represent regional cities including Townsville, Cairns and Mackay and will play in the under-12 and under-14 age groups, while the kids from under-10s and up will play off in the community cup with teams from regional towns across North Queensland.
For a lot of the young players it will be the first time they have pulled on the football boots in a representative fixture, and Football North Queensland boss Declan Carnes believes it is the perfect setting to get their first taste.
“It is a very exciting time, these types of carnivals are just great for the kids,” Carnes said.
“They get lifetime memories from these sort of things, and just enjoying the carnival atmosphere with multiple games over a short period.
“It helps create new friendships, and gives a chance for the kids to meet old friends. They are engaging in the growth of the game.”
But according to Carnes that does not mean they will be taking it easy against one another, with regional pride on the line.
The Townsville SAP teams will be coached by former Australian professional footballer Gareth Edds, who spent a long career in the English lower tiers including a fouryear stint with MK Dons.
Edds was the head coach of the Northern Fury National Premier League side for a season, and holds the highest coaching accreditation in Australia.
Meanwhile, the community teams will be headed by FNQ junior development guru Craig Perfect.
All the action kicks off at Brolga Park with a march past and opening ceremony at midday before games kick off from 1pm.